88 tbird getting molested March 01, 2011, 01:01:15 AM Well i might as well start a build thread on here too. I bought an '88 Thunderbird for $250 to use as a parts car but I decided it was too nice to let it go to waste. It was a complete, running 5.0 car without a single dent or ding but in desperate need of paint. I originally planned to swap an HO motor in with a single 70mm t4 turbo and a little suspension work and run low 11's on pump gas. Somewhere along the lines I completely lost my mind. I was going to run an AOD but somehow I ended up with a Powerglide. I sold the 5.0 HO I picked up and bought a 5.3 out of a Silverado that will end up a 347 with around 10.5:1 compression. Instead of one turbo I bought two Master Power 70's with .68 housings. I'm not too concerned with dyno numbers but 300 to the tires on pump through a Glide will be alright. I don't care what it makes as long as it's in the 11's at 120 mph. It will be going in for the cage and all that around the end of May. Front suspension is all Team Z. Rear suspension will also be Team Z when I get around to it. Pics will be up soon. Quote Selected
88 tbird getting molested Reply #11 – March 01, 2011, 03:47:29 AM Looks like a cool project. Just keep the hood closed when you're showing it off. :pbb: Quote Selected
88 tbird getting molested Reply #12 – March 01, 2011, 06:01:15 AM Neat. Twin MP 70's! 300 at the wheels will be a walk in the park. I assume you are going blow-through? Is that an airbag in the right rear spring? How was it to install, fit like it should?When are you hoping to have it on the road?EDIT:BTW, you may find that having a tight radius J-bend or two on hand at fab time will come in handy! I know I did on mine. Quote Selected
88 tbird getting molested Reply #13 – March 01, 2011, 08:46:41 AM Lol I was joking about goals for the car. If it only makes 300 I've got serious problems. I'm shooting for mid 9's on pump gas and 8's on race gas. I considered going blow-through because it would be much simpler but I'm going efi and using MS3X to control it. Yes, that is an air bag. It fit fine and was very simple to install. The first thing I did on the car was the rear suspension and I had a very mild mannered build in mine. After the car gets back from the chassis shop I'm going to pull all of the rear suspension back out and go with a fancier setup. I'm hoping I can get Dave at Team Z to make some custom length control arms for me. I'll be ditching the air bag and going to an anti-roll bar. I'm also going to run coilovers in the rear. As far as getting it on the road, I really have no idea. If I would have went through with my original plan it would already be done but this will take considerably longer. I'll definitely be getting some tighter bends when turbo time comes around. The bends I already have were throwaways that I got for next to nothing and couldn't pass up. They're just random bends ranging from 45° to 90° but they're in perfect shape. I'm not entirely sure why they got pitched. Quote Selected
88 tbird getting molested Reply #14 – March 01, 2011, 10:26:34 AM ugh, these pictures bring back nightmares for me, have faith there's light at the end of the tunnel.LOL Quote Selected
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